Swing States

The term "swing states" implies that a state could go either way in the Presidential election. Some of the states that were considered swing states during the Bush years certainly weren't in 2008. Bush won Iowa, but Obama won it by 9 points. Bush nearly won Michigan and Pennsylvania, while McCain wasn't competitive in either. Republicans romped in Michigan, Maine, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and New Hampshire this year. Obama won all nine in 2008. If they're swing states in 2012, the election is a toss-up. Below I have red states, blue states, and toss-ups. There are 16 toss-ups here. Whoever wins the majority likely will win the election.